The organist librarian

A mirror image! Fred Irvine played after me. Now have 2 work experience students who seem to get on well with each other. The newspaper cuttings file about Battersea is now up to date at last. Catenians was a delightful meeting with lots of visitors. Tuesday July 7 to Moira's for organists committee which I chaired and a full house. Interesting programme ahead including Belfast tour! Wed July 8th to unison committee meeting. After they had wittered on about the racism report I gave my health and safety report and then made tracks! Parked at Croydon Parish church and to Tim Harper's excellent recital at St Michael's. Whitlock sonata. Back to the parish church only to find Andrew had not booked my practice time and Fred Irvine was there. He said Sanderstead would take part in the deanery evensong in September. Back home and tried to put Grandma's new metal garden chairs together (Liz took them back and got the shop show ones!). To Coulsdon and chose music with Vickie for ...

Thursday had staff meetings.Straight to church after work to rehearse for Karen's Archbishops' Award exam with Helen Burroughs - nice to see her again. All went well although I felt Alison could have sung out more in the "Ave Maria" duet. Practice was good although I found it hard to sing. My side is better but the cold is still lingering on. I went to Compline at Croydon Parish church on the way home - it was pouring again and this was a moment of peace in a busy day. Surprised to find Malcolm Hubble had not been paid for deputising for the 2 June Sundays when I was away.

Photos of two mosques in Istanbul one on the Asian side in Uskudar the other the Fatih Camii. My third mosque in a week! The Imam greeted the party of 40 and gave us a talk and a tour of the mosque. He was happy to answer questions and refreshments were provided. Some of the men sat on the floor in the mosque during the midday prayers whilst everyone else observed from the ladies gallery. It was most interesting to observe how the men came in and began prayer. Around 50 in all at various times - all ages and professions. One elderly gentleman greeted us warmly. I got a salad at Marks and had a look in WHSmith as Derek had sent me a £25 voucher for playing at the funeral. There is a magnificent book on cathedrals which caught me eye! To Croydon Parish church for talk by Andrew Scott about organ building and different types of pipes. He said the Festival Hall organ is on hold awaiting more money and time. Good to at last play the organ and meet Andrew Cantrill the new director of music. ...